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For a minute or so, the only sounds were from the engine and the tires on the road. “You said your first attempt at taking down these guys didn’t go well. Is that what happened to you in the woods? Because I didn’t really find much evidence of injury, not enough to make you so close to death. And then, when we were behind the office and those three appeared, you said you weren’t strong enough to fight them. It doesn’t make sense to me. Not that I would expect anyone to fight three wolves,” she added quickly. “Or even one.”
They were getting close to the turn-off, and Bennett slowed down. “Shifters heal quickly when we’re in our animal forms. I’m not saying it works perfectly, and it’s not like we can’t die, but we’re definitely not the same as humans. By the time you found me, my physical wounds had probably mostly healed. I know just how much blood I’d left behind, though. That part takes a bit longer. If I’d chosen to fight them, I would’ve been risking your life just as much as mine. More, really. What are you doing?”
She pulled her breath in through her nose and held it. After several seconds, she let it out slowly through slightly pursed lips. Stephanie’s eyes were closed, and she’d placed her hands palms down on her lap. “Breathing.”
“Aren’t we all?”
Stephanie opened her eyes and gave him a sideways glance. “For the moment, and it sounds like we’re lucky to have that. I’m just trying to calm myself the hell down, okay?”
“Right.” He slowed down and turned. The place where the trees split and the old dirt road took over was almost impossible to see. There were no reflectors or markers, which was just the way he wanted it. People flew past there all the time and had no clue it was there. Or if they did see it, they assumed it was one of the many old logging roads in the area. It wound through the trees and up to a gate.
Not being in his vehicle, he didn’t have the remote that would allow him to open the gate without getting out. “I’ll be right back.”
He got out and listened, letting his wolf guide him. The moon was bright that night, Selene’s blessing illuminating the woods. There were no threats, not tonight. As he stepped into the truck’s headlights to undo the latch, Bennett knew he was the only threat at the moment. He’d done a hell of a number on Stephanie. He’d put quite a heavy load on her mind, and he couldn’t blame her in the least for freaking out. She’d just learned about a whole world around her that she hadn’t known about. It was a lot to put on anyone, and it made him feel like a real asshole. Whether or not Stephanie thought so, he’d find out eventually.
“Did I see a security camera blinking on top of that fence post?” she asked when he climbed back in the driver’s seat.
At least her natural curiosity had once again overwhelmed her fear. Bennett had already seen that happen back at her clinic when her knowledge of his shifter secret was both fear and fascination. In a lot of ways, she hadn’t changed. “One of them, yes. I let that one be seen as a warning, but it’s just the beginning of what I’ve got here.”
Once he’d pulled through and shut the gate behind them, he continued. “I have cameras all over this property, even mounted on the trees where they can monitor the trails in the woods. It’s all synced up with my cell phone, so I know what’s happening. There are also tripwires and a few nasty surprises for anyone who tries to come anywhere near the house without my permission.”
“A little much, if you ask me,” she murmured as she ducked down to get a better look at everything through the windshield.
“It has to be with my line of work. I do what I’m hired to do, just like anyone else. Sometimes, my targets get wind of what’s happening before I get the chance to complete the gig, though, or someone else wants revenge. It’s not exactly glamorous.” Bennett pulled up in front of the garage, where he’d left his own vehicle when he’d gone out in search of the Bloodmoon Crew in wolf form. He shut off the engine and handed the keys back to Stephanie.
“Your driving has improved over the years, but not by much,” she grumbled, though she was smiling.
“What do you mean?” He kept his head up and his ears alert as he brought her up the walkway and unlocked the gate. If Bennett had been driving his own vehicle, he would’ve come in through the garage. That felt inherently safer. Despite all the precautionary measures he’d taken to keep his property as secure as possible, he still felt exposed.
She laughed lightly, though her raw nerves could still be heard on the edge. “I still remember when you borrowed Tommy McFadden’s old muscle car and picked me up in it. I thought I was going to die that night.”
“Only of sheer amazement for just how badass it was, right?” He held the gate open to let her through before he came through himself and shut it behind him, ensuring it was locked. “I remember that night well. I thought for sure I’d impress you. It’s funny what boys think will impress girls at that age.”
She laughed again, a sound he liked way too much. “The same can be said for us girls, you know. I clearly remember thinking that if I just had a new color of nail polish or the right pair of earrings, it would make all the difference. I don’t think you ever noticed.”
“Sure I did,” Bennett countered.
“You did not.”
“Yes, I did. You painted your nails with little watermelon slices that one time. I was surprised because it didn’t seem like the kind of thing you’d ever do. You were just more practical than that. Not that I didn’t like the watermelons, though.”
Stephanie turned to him and held out her hands, wiggling her fingers to show off her bare nails. “I guess I’ve gone back to my practical ways.”
Bennett might’ve noticed her nail polish back then, but right now, he was focused on the fact there weren’t any rings on her fingers. He hadn’t even thought to ask if she was married. That was stupid of him, considering she had a daughter, but Stephanie had yet to mention a husband. His wolf churned within him once again, happy to be this close to her after all these years. The damn beast had never cared about what was practical.
They reached the porch steps, and Stephanie pointed to the sign nailed to the railing. “Beware of Dog? Let me guess: Rottweiler? Pitbull? German shepherd?”
“Well, he’s the primary force in all the defenses I’ve set up here.” Bennett crossed the porch and punched in his security code. “I should’ve warned you about him before. In fact, I’ll probably have to introduce the two of you slowly so he doesn’t try to attack you for coming onto his territory.”
He opened the door. The little Pomeranian came charging through the living room in a fluff ball of fury. He jumped up on his hind legs to give an excited yap of greeting to Bennett. He nearly tripped over the threshold as he tried to get to Stephanie, his poofy tail waggling and his tiny tongue lolling out the side of his mouth.
“Easy there, Rambo.” Bennett held the door open until they were all safely inside the house, with the dog still hopping excitedly around Stephanie’s ankles.
“Oh, my goodness! Just look at you!” She held out her hand for Rambo to sniff, and as soon as she knew he’d accepted her, she was petting him all over. “You must be an ancient little man. Oh, yes. That’s the spot, isn’t it? You’re just the best boy, aren’t you?”
“He is,” Bennett agreed, finally feeling more relaxed now that he knew they were both safely inside his personal fortress. “Most people come to a new house and look at the flooring or the architecture. You plop yourself right on the floor and make friends with the dog. Not that I really expected anything different.”
“I couldn’t possibly just ignore this little guy. Could I? Definitely not. Well, all right then. You just make yourself right at home.” This last part was her response when the dog marched up to her lap and settled himself in her arms.
